Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
5-16,2-9MAC
Akron
8-13,3-8MAC
EMU Falls to Akron in Overtime
2/7/2024 9:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Two Eagles earned double doubles in the loss
Highlight Video
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team fell to the University of Akron Zips, 68-67, in overtime at home Wednesday, Feb. 7 inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
The Eagles (5-16, 2-9 MAC) saw four players score in double figures, led by Tayra Eke (Madrid, Spain/IES Ortega y Gasset/LIU), who put together a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Dara Capaldi (East Detroit, Mich./La Lumiere (Ind.)) tacked on career-high 14 points and Kennedi Myles (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills/Illinois/Marquette) helped out with a double-double from the bench with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Eke pulled down five offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Eastern Michigan, as the team hauled down 14 boards and turned them into 17 second chance points.
The Green and White's defense held Akron to only 40 percent shooting from the field. The Zips did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass, as they finished with nine offensive rebounds and managed eight second chance points.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 4-2 advantage, Eastern Michigan went on a 6-0 run with 6:57 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Myles, to increase its lead to 10-2. The Eagles then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 19-14 advantage. EMU did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 14 of its 19 points close to the basket.
Akron rallied to take a 28-23 lead before the Green and White went on a 7-0 run starting at the 2:33 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Capaldi, to take a 30-28 lead. The Zips cut into that lead, but the Eagles still enjoyed a 30-29 advantage heading into halftime. Eastern Michigan dominated in the paint, scoring six of its 11 points close to the basket.
The Zips then took a 31-30 lead following intermission before Eastern Michigan went on an 11-0 run, punctuated by a three from Capaldi, to grab a 41-31 lead with 5:05 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Zips had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Eagles still entered the fourth quarter with a 45-44 edge. EMU played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 15 points in the paint.
Eastern Michigan then surrendered that advantage as Akron forced overtime by tying things up at 56-56 by the end of the fourth. The Green and White took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 11 points in the paint.
Akron then snagged a 61-56 advantage with 3:51 left in the first overtime before Eastern Michigan responded by going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich./Wayne Memorial)'s three, to seize a 63-61 lead with 2:29 to go in the period. Akron re-asserted control, outscoring the Eagles 7-4 the rest of the way to hand Eastern Michigan the 68-67 loss.
Game Notes
» Eastern Michigan saw two players reach double doubles in the same contest, Feb. 7, for the third time this season and the first since the win at NIU, Jan. 3. The Green and White had two double-double performances in the same game four times one year ago, the most by any EMU team since the 2011-12 campaign, when the Eagles recorded the feat in five games.
» The game against Akron, Feb. 7, was the Eagles' second overtime game since Dec. 15, 2023, when the Eagles topped IUPUI in extra minutes and the first overtime game against a MAC opponent since falling, 79-73, against Toledo, Jan. 28, 2023. After the setback, EMU holds a 24-27 record in games that go into overtime.
» Myles recorded her 15th career double double and the fifth in an Eastern jersey with her 13 points and 13 rebounds against the Zips, Feb. 7. The graduate student has earned a double-double in consecutive games after posting 17 points and 10 boards against the Bulls, Feb. 3.
» Eke's 17 points and 11 rebounds against Akron, Feb. 7 was good for her fifth season double-double and the 10th of her career. The last time the junior recorded the feat was when she posted 12 points and 11 rebounds versus Miami, Jan. 17.
» Eke recorded multiple blocks in a single game for the 11th time this season after posting two against the Zips, Feb. 7. Last season, the junior recorded the feat in 17 contests.
» Austin recorded a career-high eight assists in the setback to Akron, Feb. 7. The eight helpers tops the juniors previous career-high of seven set in two separate contest's and the last being against Toledo, Jan. 28, 2023.
» Capaldi earned her third collegiate start in the game with the Zips, Feb. 7 after doing so for the first time against WMU, Jan. 31. The Michigan native posted a personal best 14 points with two made three's and one block.
» Treasure Thompson (Joliet, Ill./Bolingbrook/Louisiana State) found herself in the starting five for the fifth time this season and just the sixth in her career at EMU.
» Olivia Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind. /Southside) connected on two shots from beyond the arc in the contest versus the Zips, Feb. 7. It was the 17th contest this season in which Smith has made a single three-pointer. Last season, the then-rookie led the team in triples recording a single make in 25 total games. Her longest streak of consecutive games with a made triple was 13 (Dec. 17, 2022- Feb. 1, 2023).
» Nia Boston (Stockton, Calif./Modesto Christian/Delta College/Mesa CC) made her debut in an Eastern jersey as the transfer played three total minutes.
» Four Eagles recorded double-digit points in the same game for the fourth time this season as Austin posted 11, Myles earned 13, Capaldi scored 14, and Eke led with 17.
» Myles' 13 points marks the eighth contest this season with double-digit points and the 33rd of her career. Her career-high stands at 23 against Merrimack College, Dec. 10, 2019 as a member of the Fighting Illini.
» EMU won the blocking-battle against the Zips, 5-2. It was the 11th time this season the Eagles have out-blocked their opponent. Last season, the team recorded more blocks than its foe in 19 contests.
Historical Notes
» After her 11 rebounds against the Zips, Feb. 7, Eke sits just 56 boards away from her career milestone 500. Additionally, the junior is just 10 blocks away from her career milestone 150.
» The Eagles and the Zips met for the 49th time in program history. After the loss, Akron holds the 30-19 edge over the Green and White.
Up Next
Eastern will take a break from conference play as it prepares to play host to Sun Belt Conference member, the University of South Alabama, Saturday, Feb. 10, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The contest is slated to begin at 1 p.m.
